Region: LOMBARDIA
Province code: CO
Zip code: 22100
Phone area code: 031
Distance from: MILANO 45 Km / 28 Miles
Elevation: 201 mt / 661 feet
COMO
Como is one of the provincial capitals in Lombardy. It is situated at the end of the south-west branch of Lake Como on a small alluvial plain, bordered on the east by Mount Brunate, on the west by Mount Olimpino and on the south by the Camerlata plateau, where the town has developed. It is a commercial and industrial centre, especially in the textile sector, and is also a holiday destination, a health resort and city of art.
The oldest part of the city still has the regular layout of the Roman castrum and is ringed by medieval walls which stand where the Roman walls once stood. The Churches of Sant’Abbondio, San Fedele and San Carpoforo date back to from the Middle Ages. The twelfth century Church of Sant’Abbondio is one of the finest works produced by Como master craftsmen and one of the masterpieces of the Romanesque-Lombard style. The Cathedral, on the other hand, begun in 1326 and completed in 1744, is a typical example of Lombardy Renaissance. The Broletto, built as the Town Hall in 1215 in the Romanesque-Gothic style, is particularly interesting. Also worth seeing is the magnificent gate called the Porta Torre, in Piazza della Vittoria, erected in 1192 when Barbarossa rebuilt the city walls. The walls have two pentagonal towers called Torre Porta Nuova and Torre San Vitale, belonging to the same period. You can also visit the Civic Museum which has archaeological and local history collections; the neoclassical Tempio Voltiano built in 1927 in honour of Alessandro Volta; and the public gardens on the west side of the port.
Important events include “Autunno Musicale” in Villa Olmo in October and November, art and photographic exhibitions and sailing regattas and motorboat races.
